News is something we hear about every day in the USA. Whether it’s on TV, online, or from a friend, people love to talk about what’s happening around them. But sometimes, people use special phrases when they talk about news. These are called idioms. Idioms are fun ways to say something without using the exact words. For example, instead of saying “I heard the news,” someone might say “I got it straight from the horse’s mouth.”
Idioms about news make conversations more interesting and easy to understand. They are part of how many people in America talk. If you know these idioms, it can help you follow stories and talk with others more easily. In this article, we’ll learn some common idioms about news, what they mean, and how people use them in everyday life in the USA.
Idioms About News
1. Hot off the press
Meaning: Very new or just released news
Example Sentence:
– I got this story hot off the press.
– The newspaper had a hot off the press report on the election.
Other ways to say: Just came out, fresh news
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from printing presses where freshly printed papers were still warm.
Usage: Used when someone shares the newest information.
2. Heard it through the grapevine
Meaning: Learned something through gossip or informal sources
Example Sentence:
– I heard through the grapevine that she’s moving.
– He heard it through the grapevine that school might close early.
Other ways to say: Word on the street, someone told me
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase started in the 1800s and refers to how fast news spreads like vines.
Usage: Used when people pass on news that may or may not be true.
3. Breaking news
Meaning: Important news just announced
Example Sentence:
– We interrupt this show with breaking news.
– That’s breaking news about the storm!
Other ways to say: Big news, urgent update
Fun Fact/Origin: Came from TV and radio when big stories “broke” regular programming.
Usage: Used for major news happening now.
4. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal secret or hidden information
Example Sentence:
– He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
– Don’t spill the beans just yet!
Other ways to say: Let the secret out, tell the truth
Fun Fact/Origin: In ancient times, people voted with beans, and spilling them showed the result.
Usage: Often used when someone shares private news early.
5. The cat’s out of the bag
Meaning: A secret has been revealed
Example Sentence:
– The cat’s out of the bag about her new job.
– Once he saw the gift, the cat was out of the bag.
Other ways to say: Secret’s out, truth is known
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from old markets when dishonest sellers would hide cats in bags instead of pigs.
Usage: Used when someone finds out a secret.
6. In the loop
Meaning: Informed or updated about something
Example Sentence:
– Keep me in the loop about the meeting.
– She likes being in the loop with family news.
Other ways to say: Stay updated, kept informed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from aviation and military circles meaning to stay connected.
Usage: Used when someone is included in updates.
7. Out of the loop
Meaning: Not informed or not updated
Example Sentence:
– I’ve been out of the loop on this project.
– He felt out of the loop after vacation.
Other ways to say: Missed the update, not aware
Fun Fact/Origin: The opposite of “in the loop”, common in workplaces.
Usage: Used when someone misses news.
8. Blow the whistle
Meaning: To report something wrong or illegal
Example Sentence:
– She blew the whistle on the cheating.
– A worker blew the whistle on the unsafe rules.
Other ways to say: Report it, call it out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from referees who use whistles to stop a game.
Usage: Often used when someone reports a problem.
9. No news is good news
Meaning: If there’s no update, it’s probably fine
Example Sentence:
– We haven’t heard back, but no news is good news.
– Don’t worry. No news is good news.
Other ways to say: Silence means nothing’s wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: This old saying comforts people waiting for updates.
Usage: Often said when waiting on health or safety news.
10. Read between the lines
Meaning: Find the hidden meaning
Example Sentence:
– If you read between the lines, he’s not happy.
– She didn’t say it, but reading between the lines, something’s wrong.
Other ways to say: Look deeper, figure it out
Fun Fact/Origin: Started with old writing where hidden messages were placed between the lines.
Usage: Used when someone figures out what’s really going on.
11. Keep it under wraps
Meaning: Keep something secret
Example Sentence:
– We need to keep the plan under wraps.
– They kept the project under wraps until launch.
Other ways to say: Keep it quiet, don’t tell anyone
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase may come from wrapping important items to hide them.
Usage: Used when something should not be shared yet.
12. Drop a bombshell
Meaning: To share shocking or surprising news
Example Sentence:
– He dropped a bombshell about quitting.
– She dropped a bombshell that she’s moving to Texas.
Other ways to say: Shock everyone, big surprise
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how sudden a bomb explodes and surprises.
Usage: Used when someone shares unexpected news.
13. On the record
Meaning: Information that can be shared publicly
Example Sentence:
– He spoke on the record during the meeting.
– That comment was on the record.
Other ways to say: Official, okay to share
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in journalism to show what can be quoted.
Usage: Often used in news and legal settings.
14. Off the record
Meaning: Not to be shared or made public
Example Sentence:
– This is off the record, but he might retire.
– She told me off the record about the plan.
Other ways to say: Secret, not for public
Fun Fact/Origin: Opposite of “on the record,” used by reporters to respect privacy.
Usage: Used when information should stay private.
15. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid saying something directly
Example Sentence:
– Stop beating around the bush—what happened?
– He beat around the bush instead of giving the news.
Other ways to say: Avoid the point, not say it straight
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old hunting terms where people would beat bushes to scare animals out.
Usage: Used when someone won’t say something clearly.
16. Keep your ear to the ground
Meaning: Stay alert and listen for news or changes
Example Sentence:
– She keeps her ear to the ground for any job openings.
– Keep your ear to the ground—something big is coming.
Other ways to say: Stay tuned, be alert
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that putting your ear to the ground lets you hear distant sounds.
Usage: Used when someone wants to stay updated.
17. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret
Example Sentence:
– He let the cat out of the bag about the promotion.
– Don’t let the cat out of the bag yet!
Other ways to say: Spill the secret, tell too soon
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from markets where cats were secretly sold instead of pigs.
Usage: Used when someone reveals a secret too early.
18. Fly on the wall
Meaning: A person who listens quietly without being noticed
Example Sentence:
– I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.
– She listened like a fly on the wall during their talk.
Other ways to say: Silent observer, unnoticed listener
Fun Fact/Origin: A fly can observe everything without being seen.
Usage: Used when someone wants to hear private talk quietly.
19. Ring a bell
Meaning: Sounds familiar
Example Sentence:
– That name rings a bell.
– His story rings a bell from something I heard last week.
Other ways to say: Sounds known, feels familiar
Fun Fact/Origin: Bells are used to remind or alert people.
Usage: Used when something reminds you of past news.
20. Word gets around
Meaning: News spreads from person to person
Example Sentence:
– Word gets around fast in this small town.
– The news about the sale got around quickly.
Other ways to say: Everyone finds out, spreads fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Before social media, people relied on each other for sharing news.
Usage: Used when news becomes known by many people.
21. Hit the headlines
Meaning: To appear in the news for something big
Example Sentence:
– The singer hit the headlines after her speech.
– That accident hit the headlines last night.
Other ways to say: Made the news, big story
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the top part of a newspaper page.
Usage: Used for people or stories that become popular news.
22. Keep it hush-hush
Meaning: Keep something very quiet or secret
Example Sentence:
– The team kept the project hush-hush.
– This needs to stay hush-hush until next week.
Other ways to say: Keep silent, don’t tell
Fun Fact/Origin: Saying “hush” means to be quiet.
Usage: Used when people don’t want others to find out.
23. Spread like wildfire
Meaning: News spreads very fast
Example Sentence:
– The rumor spread like wildfire.
– The video spread like wildfire on social media.
Other ways to say: Spread fast, went viral
Fun Fact/Origin: Wildfires move quickly, just like fast-spreading news.
Usage: Used when news or rumors go viral.
24. Be all ears
Meaning: To listen carefully
Example Sentence:
– Go ahead, I’m all ears.
– He was all ears when she started talking about the news.
Other ways to say: Listen closely, paying attention
Fun Fact/Origin: Saying “all ears” shows someone is focused on hearing.
Usage: Used when someone is ready to listen.
25. Hit the airwaves
Meaning: To go on radio or TV
Example Sentence:
– The ad hit the airwaves this morning.
– His speech will hit the airwaves tonight.
Other ways to say: Go live, go public
Fun Fact/Origin: Airwaves are used for radio and TV signals.
Usage: Used when something is broadcasted.
26. Leak information
Meaning: To share secret news without permission
Example Sentence:
– Someone leaked the memo to the press.
– The plans were leaked online.
Other ways to say: Secret slipped, shared too soon
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a leak letting things out slowly.
Usage: Used when someone reveals private info.
27. Make headlines
Meaning: Become important or newsworthy
Example Sentence:
– The mayor made headlines with her decision.
– That story made headlines across the USA.
Other ways to say: Big news, in the spotlight
Fun Fact/Origin: Making the headlines means being the top story.
Usage: Used for major stories or events.
28. Beat the news
Meaning: To be first to share something
Example Sentence:
– She beat the news by telling us early.
– He beat the news with a quick post.
Other ways to say: Got there first, early update
Fun Fact/Origin: Reporters try to be first with the story.
Usage: Used when someone shares info before others.
29. Old news
Meaning: Something no longer interesting or new
Example Sentence:
– That’s old news now.
– Nobody cares—it’s old news.
Other ways to say: Outdated, not important anymore
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how fast news changes daily.
Usage: Used when a story is no longer fresh.
30. Front-page news
Meaning: Very important news
Example Sentence:
– The win was front-page news.
– Her story became front-page news overnight.
Other ways to say: Big story, major event
Fun Fact/Origin: The front page of a newspaper has top stories.
Usage: Used for very important news stories.
31. Get wind of
Meaning: To hear about something secretly
Example Sentence:
– He got wind of the plan before the others.
– She got wind of the news early.
Other ways to say: Hear about, find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the wind carrying sound or smell.
Usage: Used when someone learns something secretly.
32. Talk of the town
Meaning: Everyone is talking about it
Example Sentence:
– The concert was the talk of the town.
– That store has become the talk of the town.
Other ways to say: Everyone’s talking, big deal
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in small towns where everyone knows the news.
Usage: Used when something is very popular or known.
33. Go public
Meaning: To share news with everyone
Example Sentence:
– They went public with their idea.
– She went public about her experience.
Other ways to say: Share openly, announce
Fun Fact/Origin: Also used in business when companies sell stock.
Usage: Used when people announce news for all to hear.
Quiz: Idioms About News
Instructions: Choose the best meaning for each idiom below. Pick the answer that fits the sentence. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “hot off the press” mean?
a) The news is made up
b) The news just came out
c) The press is too hot
2. If someone says they “heard it through the grapevine,” what does it mean?
a) They grew grapes
b) They got the news from TV
c) They heard it from someone informally
3. What does it mean to “spill the beans”?
a) Clean up a mess
b) Share a secret
c) Plant some beans
4. When someone is “in the loop,” what are they?
a) Included and informed
b) Lost and confused
c) Not paying attention
5. What does “breaking news” mean?
a) News that is broken
b) A story from the past
c) Important news just announced
6. If a person “keeps their ear to the ground,” what are they doing?
a) Lying down
b) Listening for news or changes
c) Avoiding everyone
7. What does “make headlines” mean?
a) Write for a paper
b) Become big news
c) Read the newspaper
8. If news “spreads like wildfire,” what does it do?
a) Stays private
b) Spreads very fast
c) Catches fire
9. What does it mean to be “off the record”?
a) You’re speaking publicly
b) You’re on a music album
c) What you say shouldn’t be shared
10. What does “drop a bombshell” mean?
a) Tell shocking news
b) Go to the beach
c) Light fireworks
11. What is “old news”?
a) A story from tomorrow
b) Something no longer interesting
c) A new update
12. If someone is “the talk of the town,” what does that mean?
a) They talk too much
b) No one knows them
c) Everyone is talking about them
Answer Key
- b) The news just came out
- c) They heard it from someone informally
- b) Share a secret
- a) Included and informed
- c) Important news just announced
- b) Listening for news or changes
- b) Become big news
- b) Spreads very fast
- c) What you say shouldn’t be shared
- a) Tell shocking news
- b) Something no longer interesting
- c) Everyone is talking about them
Wrapping Up
Idioms about news help people in the USA talk about stories in fun and clever ways. They make conversations sound more natural and interesting. When you learn these phrases, you can understand what others are really saying and join the talk more easily. From “breaking news” to “spilling the beans,” these idioms are all part of everyday American speech.
Learning these idioms makes it easier to enjoy news, understand jokes, and follow what’s going on around you. They’re a big part of how people share stories across the country.
